The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1887-03-04

| hef iec', shc S'iueu over tne noOr. her move
ments were as rythmio as wero the strains of
Bardinellfs violin, they were those Of the Gra-
ces. Her face was rs the frozen one of the DOOM
ed Iphigenia. Upon the silence Of the room
the Italians medley wrought like magic. The
wedding guests swayed hither and thither in
grotcsquc nimicry Of the dream dancer upon
the polished floor. The breeze Of the night
waited the mystical strains out through the
| open easements aud bore them past wondering
wayfarers upward to the empyrean to sweep
the confines Of other realms Of mystery.
Bardinelli was lending oil the cunning Of his
hand to rouse the suspended faculties of his be-
loved pupil The heavy lids yelling her vision
were slowly raisci, surrounding objects were
once more photographed upon the retina of the
eye, the tinge Of life was returning to lip and
check, her movements hal less of grace and
more ofcnergy. 1t were as though the shackles
Of flesh werc being again rive,ed upon the free
movement of the spirit. The statute had walked
to life, though another than Pygmalion should
reap the kisses of those divinely parted lips.
Louder and louder swelled the waltz melodies
Of the forgotten musician. One who casually
glanced toward him saw that he was contorted,
and that the veins in his forehead were purple
chords, tcnsc'y drawn. SO might have looked
the Lrocoon wrestling in the folds of the sea-
monster.
Not the less surely, however, was the master
hand Informed of tho genius of q dcathlcss
will, and the observer unknowing, turned again
TO mark the effects Of the power upon her, who,
like Eurydice, was being lured b,ck from the
world ofmystery AMI shadow by his Orphc
entertainments. Suddenly she stood still. The
throng of spectators gazed at her. Their uni
ted breath would not have stirred the down Of
n thistle puff. Her white bosom rose and fell.
The orange blossoms looping her corsage trem-
blcd like sentient creatures filled with passion
of joy in her living warmth and loveliness.
Her eyes roved anxiousy over the expectant
asscmblase. She was looking for some one
For whom?
Sho smiled dazzling smile Of recognition,
and Joyousiy stretched forth her arm. Her
bridegroom hurried to meet and take her into
his embrace.
Fer the first time there was discord in the
music No one noticed il. There was break,
pause, then n crash Of chords, then silence.
1T was you who drew me back among the
living. Phil, murmured the BRIDE at rest on
tho heart of hor husband. Not tho bands of
death could hold me from you yet, dear. 1t was
the yenrnins ofmy spirit that spoke to You
through the music of Bardiuellfs violin
Then. o my beloSed! he answered, in the
abnegation of an humble gratitude, 'it is to
Bardineli owe the debt may never hope to
repay
To Bariiuclli?'
She turned in her gracious beauty aud NOV
ed toward the musician.
lie did not rise to meet her. lie was sitting
bending forward, and his face was averted rs
from sight distressing to him. His violin
had slipped from his grasp anI was resting
against his knee, two Of its strings broken and
snared. She laid upon his shoulder the hand
from which he hal extracted the venom of the
tarantula.
'Bardinelin
Her voice had never before appealed to him
in vain. Now ne gave 1t no heed She bent
over him, her bridal veil blending with the
long hair floating over his shoulders. Her
gentle clasp closed upon the fingers still hold
ing the taut bow. Then passionate cry broke
from her lips. and she turned to her husband
'He is dead! lie has given his life for mine,
Phil